New Way to Shine on New Year's

Ah, New Year’s Eve, the one night it’s actually possible not to stand out in a sequined dress. But there is one way to set yourself apart in that sea of gold and glitter without shying away from shine: a brocade cocktail dress. This opulent fabric is making its move from your grandma’s couch to everyday wear, and it’s definitely taking on a new life in metallic patterns. Just try not to turn heads in Michael Kors’ black and gold Ocelot Brocade dress — a New Year’s dress you may actually be able to wear again in 2012 (and not just in the wee hours of January 1).

If you don’t want to dish out too much cash on a dress you’ll likely spill some bubbly on — or if you don’t trust Bergdorf Goodman’s express shipping policy — there are a few thriftier ways to do brocade. Try ModCloth’s crinkly bronze brocade dress or Aqua’s reptilian black brocade tube dress. And just because you’re not a walking disco ball doesn’t mean you can’t bling in the new year — there’s always makeup and accessories, too!

Text Kara Solarz
Image Refinery 29

All That Glitters in 2012

Sure, right now Christmas shopping is important and all, but chances are that many women's retail priority is nabbing the perfect New Year’s Eve dress. But once the ball drops and the hangover subsides, what will you do with that stunning sequined mini dress? Don’t keep it tucked away in the back of your closet — the glitter trend will be far from over in 2012. And while you can’t exactly wear your cocktail frock to work, there are (slightly) more subtle ways to incorporate sparkle into your everyday wardrobe.

Our favorite solution: Embellished sweaters, which can be found in all sorts of variations in stores this winter. You can go down the glitter gradient from Marc by Marc Jacobs's restrained use of shimmer in his floral Gladiola sweater, to J. Crew’s sporty sparkly Wynter sweater (rugby stripes which alternate between basic black and embellished white), to Top Shop’s twinkling, all-over sequin sweater. And why wait ‘til the New Year — you could even pull a Jenna Lyons and pair your sweater with a formal skirt for a head-turning, midnight-ready look.

Text Kara Solarz

Image Fashionologie